Locking arrangement of a portable article such as computer processor casing to a work surface

ABSTRACT

A locking arrangement for locking a portable article ( 16 ) such as miniature computer processor having a planar flat bottom surface to a stationary object such as table surface ( 10 ). At least a pair of first protrusions ( 22   a - 22   d ) are provided, each forming an undercut with respect to the bottom surface of the portable article ( 16 ), and an opening ( 24 ). A bar shaped locking substrate member ( 26 ) is provided comprising a bottom surface adapted to be placed on and fastened to the stationary object ( 10 ), and a top surface with at-least a pair of complementary undercut portions ( 32   a - 32   d ) configured to frictionally match the first protrusions ( 22   a - 22   d ) when the article is positioned overlapping the substrate member ( 26 ). Further provided is a key-operable rotatable lock member ( 36 ) carrying a projection ( 40 ) which is adapted to become inserted into the opening ( 24 ) in the overlapping position to thereby arrest the portable article ( 16 ) against the substrate member ( 10 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to anti-theft locking arrangements. Theinvention particularly concerns the safeguarding of computer processorcasings—although applicable to locking to a stationary object of otherkinds of portable, easy to pick-up articles of value as will becomeapparent from the disclosure below.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recent developments in the field of computer packaging is directedtowards miniaturization. Laptop and palm-held computers, as well as flatscreen monitors, are typical examples of this trend. In the not too farfuture, the traditional space-wasting desk computer casings will bereplaced by processors the size of a cigar box. This will undoubtedlylead to a severe problem of snatching—not to speak of premeditatedstealing—of the small-size, though expensive and valuable, devices.

The invention therefore aims at curing this undesirable result of moderncomputer packaging style and design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Proposed according to the invention at its broadest aspect is a lockingarrangement for locking a portable article having a planar flat bottomsurface to a stationary object, the arrangement comprising: At least apair of first protrusions each forming an undercut with respect to thebottom surface; an opening formed at the bottom surface; a bar shapedsubstrate member comprising: a bottom surface adapted to be placed onand fastened to the stationary object; a top surface with at-least apair of second protrusions each configured to frictionally fit over oneof the first protrusions when the article is positioned on the substratemember; a key-operated rotatable lock member carrying a third protrusionwhich is adapted to become inserted by the rotation of the key into saidopening in said frictionally fitting position to thereby arrest theportable article against the substrate member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and additional constructional features and advantages of theinvention will be more clearly understood in the light of the ensuingdescription of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of exampleonly with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein—

FIG. 1 illustrates a typical working environment including a miniaturecomputer processor casing;

FIG. 2 shows in perspective view a computer processor casing and alocking substrate member embodying the major features of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 shows a modified embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1, on working desk 10 there are placed keypad 12 and “mouse” 14connected to a new age computer processor 16, namely replacing in allrespects the traditional large and cumbersome desk-computer housing.Disk driver 18 and monitor 20 complete the typical computerized workstation. The vulnerability of the processor 16 to casual or premeditatedtheft is quite obvious.

The solution proposed according to the present invention is to anchorthe processor to the desk in a releasable fashion as to be now describedwith reference to FIGS. 2-4.

The processor casing 16 is provided, as one possibility out of manyequivalent means or forms, with four tongue-like extensions 22 a, 22 b,22 c, and 22 d merging out of the bottom wall thereof, thus forming anundercut with respect thereto.

Rectangular opening 24 is formed at the center (or anywhere else—seebelow) of the bottom wall.

A locking substrate member 26 is provided. It is in the shape of a baror rail, made of cast aluminum, sintered metal, glass fiber reinforcedplastics and the like, and is adapted to become secured to the worksurface (such as table 10 of FIG. 1) by a pair of screws 28 and 30passed through bores 28 a and 30 a.

The member 26 further comprises four L-shaped protrusions 32 a, 32 b, 32c and 32 d configured to receive, by a sliding movement of the casing 16over the upper surface of the locking substrate member 16, theextensions 22 a, 22 b, 22 c and 22 d, respectively, when reaching anoverlapping position.

Within a cavity 34 formed for that purpose there is installed acylindrical body 36. The body 36 is rotatable by being coupled to akey-operated locking mechanism 38 of any known type.

A projection 40 is carried by the cylinder 36 so that in the lockedposition of the mechanism 38 it becomes located in the 12 o'clockposition, namely protruding above the upper surface of the member 26.

An elongated, deep slot 42 is preferably made at one or more corners ofthe substrate member 26, as shown.

The operation of the locking arrangement is as follows. Firstly, thelocking substrate member 26 is fastened to the working surface by thescrews 28 and 30. Then, the various cables (to the monitor, the “mouse”,the keypad and the disc-driver) are inserted into the slot 42 as shownin phantom lines in FIG. 2. The processor casing 16 is then engaged bysliding it over the member 26 until the extension 22 are received by theprotrusions 32. The final locking is perfected by turning the cylinder36 by the key so that the projection 40 enters the opening 24, therebyimmobilizing the movement of the casing 16. In this fashion not only thecasing 16 becomes secured but also (indirectly) the remainingaccessories of the computer working station (FIG. 1).

Obviously, the objectives of the invention can be achieved in variousmodified design details. Hence, as depicted in FIG. 5 (where similarreference numbers are used to denote parts and components correspondingto those of the previous embodiment), the computer processor casing 116is provided with T-shaped projections 122 a and 122 b forming undercutswith respect to the bottom surface of the casing, and with two opening124′ and 124″.

The locking substrate member 126 is formed with matching, T-shaped slots132 a and 132 b (the latter also with an entrance recess 150 forenabling the sliding of the projection 122 b into the slot 132 b).

The mounting and securing procedure follows in the same manner as in thepreceding embodiment.

Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readilyappreciate that numerous changes, variations and modifications can beeffectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in and by the appended claims.

1. A locking arrangement for locking a portable article (16) having aplanar flat bottom surface to a stationary object (10), the arrangementcomprising: (i) At least a pair of first protrusions (22 a-22 d) eachforming an undercut with respect to the bottom surface of the portablearticle (16); (ii) An opening (24) formed at the bottom surface of theportable article (16); (iii) A bar shaped locking substrate member (26)comprising:— (a) a bottom surface adapted to be placed on and fastenedto the stationary object (10); (b) a top surface with at-least a pair ofcomplementary undercut portions (32 a-32 d) configured to frictionallymatch the first protrusions (22 a-22 d) when the article is positionedoverlapping the substrate member (26); (c) a key-operated rotatable lockmember (36) carrying a projection (40) which is adapted to becomeinserted by the rotation of the key into said opening (24) in theoverlapping position to thereby arrest the portable article (16) againstthe substrate member (10).
 2. The locking arrangement as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the said positioning of the article on the substratemember is gained by a sliding movement.
 3. The locking arrangement asclaimed in claim 2 wherein the first protrusions are in the form ofextensions (22 a-22 d) coextensive with and directed away from the saidbottom surface, and the complementary undercut portions (32 a-32 d) areL-shaped protrusions.
 4. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 2wherein the first protrusions (122 a; 122 b) are T-shaped and thecomplementary undercut portions (132 a; 132 b) are in the form ofT-shaped recesses extending along the top surface of the substratemember (126).
 5. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 1 whereinthe substrate member is formed with a slot (42; 142) into which one ormore cables can be laid for safeguarding other portable objectsconnected to the cable(s).
 6. The locking arrangement as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the portable article (16; 116) is a computer processor.